Chinese Analysts Explore Possible Israeli Role in Moroccan Migrant Crisis in Spanish Enclave Ceuta

Chinese academic and intelligence circles are examining a theory that the recent mass migration into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta was part of a hybrid warfare operation led by Morocco and Israel to destabilize Spain and pressure Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's government. This report was published by the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, citing sources in Beijing, though no official intelligence documents or direct evidence of Israeli involvement were presented.

The theory was detailed in an article by Egyptian researcher Nadia Helmy, an expert on Chinese politics and China-Israel relations, in Modern Diplomacy magazine. Helmy claimed that Chinese intelligence research centers analyzed the diplomatic and political tensions between Spain and Israel, suggesting that the Mossad might have intervened to escalate the crisis and possibly infiltrate agents to foment unrest among the Moroccan population.

Diplomats and analysts close to Beijing's leadership privately questioned whether the Ceuta incident was linked to deteriorating relations between Madrid and Jerusalem, especially following Spain's criticism of Israel over the Gaza conflict and its recognition of a Palestinian state. Since establishing relations in 2020, Israel and Morocco have become allies with deepened security and intelligence cooperation.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of responsibility for the crisis, alleging Netanyahu pays impoverished migrants to risk their lives trying to reach Spain and claiming Morocco yielded to a "fugitive criminal" conducting genocide, though he provided no evidence. Chinese state media outlets like Xinhua and CGTN have not publicly endorsed claims of Israeli involvement, focusing instead on Spain's military deployment, EU border implications, and migration policy challenges.

Beijing views the crisis as geopolitically significant due to Ceuta's location at key maritime routes, port infrastructure, energy sources, and expanding Chinese economic presence. China has strengthened ties with both Sánchez and Morocco, with Chinese companies investing billions in Morocco's electric vehicle components, batteries, and strategic materials sectors. The Tangier Med port, the Mediterranean's largest and a major global container hub, has become a critical node in Chinese supply chains, offering access to European and African markets and bypassing some trade barriers on direct Chinese exports.